“There are different ways to do innovation. You can plant a lot of seeds, not be committed to any particular one of them, but just see what grows. And this really isn’t how we’ve approached this. We go mission-first, then focus on the pieces we need and go deep on them and be committed to them.”
– Mark Zuckerberg
About YAN
Yatra Angel Network is India’s first early stage fintech focused SEBI registered CAT 1 alternative investment fund. It aims to foster entrepreneurship specifically in fintech domain i.e. payments, lending, insurance, wealth, inclusion and other fintech startups using disruptive technologies i.e. AI/ML/data analytics etc. with prime focus on nurturing and mentoring new generation entrepreneurs.
It enables investments in the fintech sector where investors will bring capital, subject matter expertise, network, mentorship, potential customer/partner/vendors and etc., as the case may be with each member. The YAN Angels have expertise, who have spent multiple decades in BFSI domain (at least 15+ years of experience), impressive network in financial services industry and able to invest beyond money in all aspects of the startup journey.
YAN looks for best and brightest founders and team. We invest in pre-seed to pre-series A startups, on our own and co-invest with other investors as well.
How we will support startups
During the last four fintech yatra (2018,2019,2020, and 2021), we have interacted with over 3000+ startups and realised capital is one of the problems of early-stage startups. After several rounds of brainstorming and analysis with angel investment experts, we have devised a unique model to support the early-stage idea rising through below. It will provide better value to people, who are investing and fewer chances of failure.
Fintech Yatra
Identifying and evaluating innovative fintech ideas in the market. The ideas will be shared with the YAN to evaluate further.
Funding
Post assessment, YAN looks to invest in at least 10 -12 startups with a range of USD 100K – USD 500K to each startup in FY 2022.
Accelerator
A three months long acceleration program. It helps startups with market validations, provide technological tools, access to the market and many others.
Mentorship & Networking
Our members have 400+ years of collective experience into BFSI domain. The members will extend help through mentorships and access to their network.
Marketing
Distribution of startup services to other startups & their employees during next year Fintech Yatra 2022
Story of YAN
The YAN as an idea emerged from “The Fintech Yatra” – a long epic road journey aimed at understanding the fintech startup ecosystem through various methods including one on one conversations with the startup founders, workshops and industry connect sessions. The purpose of a Yatra to understand the fintech ecosystem, identify the challenges facing by the fintech startups, the potential opportunity for collaboration, to gain insight on their outreach efforts and helping reduce their solution’s time to market.
On 2nd June 2018, the first “Fintech Yatra” started with a flag-off by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from Mumbai. Till date, we have covered 18000+ km across India in 2018 & 2019 and met with more than 800+ fintech startups. The Yatra had received support and appreciation from government and institutions which resulted to develop an Accelerator – three months long unique Public-Private Partnership model led Fintech acceleration program that is industry catalyzed and guided by regulatory and BFSI experts.
During the journey, we have realised – capital is one of the problems of early-stage startups. It resulted in YAN 1.0 – a group of people, who has funded these startups in an individual capacity, without any formal structure and invested in 3 startups – Riskcovry, M2P Fintech and Zimyo.